Dr. Nguyen Hong Hai, Senior Lecturer of Politics and International Relations, VinUniversity, Hanoi, Vietnam; Fulbright Visiting Scholar in Residence at American University, Washington D.C

What is the key message that CPV’s General Secretary To Lam wants to deliver in his article?

The title of the CPV’s General Secretary To Lam's article clearly expresses the message, which is to affirm the solidarity and unity of the entire Vietnamese nation, of all those who carry the blood of Lac Hong descendants, the pride, dignity, and esteem in being Vietnamese.

This message also emphasizes a fact and a truth that no one can deny that Vietnam is the name representing one and only one country in this world, and that country is unified, not divided, from 1975 until now. Vietnam is also the name of a unique nation that has endured for thousands of years on the S-shaped strip of land "since primordial times" and "carried swords to expand its territory." Anyone who was born with or descends from "blood of Vietnamese blood, flesh of Vietnamese flesh," whether living inside or outside the country, can be proud to belong to that Vietnamese nation.

The message "Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese nation is one" also affirms another truth that nation-state always go hand in hand; where there is a state, there is a nation, and the nation will reflect the characteristics of the state. Thus, when Vietnam is a unified country, all people carrying the Lac Hong bloodline will be a unified entity of the Vietnamese nation. That is the truth!

What is the implication of this message, especially as it is delivered on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification? 

General Secretary To Lam's article, published during the historic month of April and right on the eve of the anniversary celebration of the country's full independence and unification, holds a profound significance. We know that although the war ended and the country has been unified for more than half a century, as General Secretary To Lam himself pointed out, "today, Vietnam and the United States – former enemies – have become comprehensive strategic partners, cooperating for peace, for the benefit of both countries' people, and for regional security and stability. Therefore, there is no reason why Vietnamese people – sharing the same bloodline, the same Mother Au Co, always yearning for a unified and prosperous country – should continue to harbor hatred, division, and separation in their hearts".

As Vietnamese people, born of one Vietnamese Mother, we are sad to see that among Vietnamese people themselves, there are those who "still harbor in their hearts feelings of hatred, division, and separation."

Having lived and worked in many places around the world where there are large Vietnamese communities with varying connections to "the other side," I have also felt that hatred and division. In such moments, I ask myself, "why can't each of us rise above our individual hatred and think in one direction, think of one Vietnamese Mother, set aside all grievances to build together a prosperous Vietnam and a strong Vietnamese nation."

I believe this article by General Secretary To Lam has historical significance at a historic moment, as it conveys a powerful message about the openness and sincere desire from the humanitarian heart of the country's highest leader for national reconciliation and harmony. I hope that after this article and on this anniversary of national reunification, the spirit of reconciliation and national harmony will spread and bear even stronger fruit so that in 5-10 years when we commemorate April 30, it will be an occasion to speak only of national unity and harmony.

What are the new or noteworthy aspects in this article? 

In my perception, General Secretary To Lam's article emphasizes three notable points.

First, it praises the revolutionary heroism of the Vietnamese people, the blood and sacrifice of many generations of Vietnamese in the struggle to protect and achieve national independence and country unification. From this, General Secretary To Lam affirms that current and future generations of Vietnamese must never forget but always cherish and be forever grateful for those sacrifices that allow us to enjoy peace today. A civilized nation is one that knows to "drink water, remember its source."

Second, as I mentioned above, it is a message and call for national reconciliation and harmony. This is the time to let the wounds between Vietnamese children who were once in discord dissolve and be replaced with joy, as we join hands together to "complete the circle of Vietnam."

Third is the historical mission and responsibility of all Vietnamese people, both at home and abroad, to build together one Vietnam, one Vietnamese nation that is prosperous, happy, free, independent, and strong.

How do you assess the relevance of this article in light of the current issues facing Vietnam? 

After 50 years of national reunification, and after 40 years of reform, our country "has never before achieved such foundation, potential, position, and international prestige as today." The country has become "more dignified, greater and more beautiful." Nevertheless, 40 years of Reform has only helped us escape poverty and bring our country to the threshold of a prosperous society. We must humbly acknowledge that our country's current development level is not yet in a position to "stand shoulder to shoulder with the great powers"; in many aspects, we still lag behind many countries in the region, let alone on the global stage.

In his article, General Secretary To Lam emphasizes that "More than anyone, today's generation clearly understands that independence and unification are not the final goal, but the starting point for a new journey: the journey of building a peaceful, prosperous, civilized, developed and enduring Vietnam. If the generation of our fathers and brothers inscribed the truth 'Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese nation is one' through sacrifice and loss, then today's generation must transform that ideal into motivation for development, into wings to soar in the new era.

The spirit of national unification – once the belief and iron will to overcome difficulties, challenges, bomb raids, and bullet storms – must now become political determination, the will to reform, and concrete actions to protect independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, develop the economy, and improve the material and spiritual life of the people. We must make every Vietnamese, no matter where they are or what they do, proud of their country, confident in the future, and have opportunities to contribute to common development."

Our Party and State have identified and are determined to lead the country into a new era, an era of prosperous and powerful development. And the message from General Secretary To Lam in this article aims to call for solidarity and unity of will among all Vietnamese people to jointly realize that development goal.

Are there any particular points in the article that made the strongest impression on you or prompted deep reflection?

The most impressive thing for me about General Secretary To Lam's article is the spirit of openness, the sincerity, and the willingness to look straight at the truth from the leader of the Party, expressing the representative voice of millions of Vietnamese people about the desire for reconciliation and national harmony after 50 years of independence and unification.

Uncle Ho said, "unity, unity, great unity; success, success, great success." History and life experience have proven that only when we Vietnamese are united and have unified will, no matter what difficulties and obstacles, no matter how big the waves and storms, the boat of our Vietnamese nation will reach the shore of success.